Jim Perry, 82, Bustling Host of a Range of Game Shows, Dies

From: New York Times

Jim Perry, the genial host of the popular NBC game shows “Card Sharks” and “$ale of the Century” in the 1970s and ’80s, died on Friday at his home in Ashland, Ore. He was 82.

The cause was cancer, his family said.

Mr. Perry led both shows with wholesome wisecracks. He hosted “Card Sharks” from 1978 until 1981, its first run (later versions were hosted by Bob Eubanks and Pat Bullard); and the 1983 reboot of “$ale of the Century” until its final episode in 1989.

“Card Sharks” was based on the idea of an over-under bet: contestants tried to guess whether the next card would be higher or lower than one currently visible.

“$ale of the Century” was a more conventional trivia show in which contestants answered questions to amass money and other prizes.

Mr. Perry also hosted game shows in Canada. He sometimes worked on three at a time, the Canadian shows “Headline Hunters” and “Definition” while also shooting “Card Sharks” or “$ale of the Century” in the United States.

Born on Nov. 9, 1933, in Camden, N.J., Mr. Perry grew up in Chester, Pa. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and worked for Armed Forces Radio during the Korean War.

After the war he became a singer at Grossinger’s resort in the Catskills and spent some years working as the comedian Sid Caesar’s straight man. He broke into game shows in the late 1960s.

He married the former June Wiatrak in 1959. She survives him, as do a daughter, Erin; a son, Sean; two sisters, Janice Campbell and Patti Castillo; and three grandchildren.